Tiger Hill

The Tiger Hill lies about 3.5 kilometers to the northwest of Changmen Gate, Suzhou City. Known as the best view of southern Jiangsu Province and northern Zhejiang Province, it was originally called Haiyong (sea surge) Mountain, 36 meters high and covering some 20 hectares. The grave of He LÃ¯Â¿Â½Ã¯Â¿Â½, one of the five greatest kings during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) is in the Tiger Hill; Qin Emperor Shihuang (249-210BC), the first emperor of China, used to climb up onto the mountain for watching its fantastic views; Xiang Yu (232-202BC), the ruler of west Chu state, gathered together his troops to rebel against the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) in the Tiger Hill; when Bai Juyi (772-846), the famous poet of the Tang dynasty (618-907), once acted as the prefecture governor of Suzhou City, he organized people to draw water through the mountain and build a causeway so that the Tiger Hill became even more beautiful. Ancient people believed the Tiger Hill had nine great scenes: moon, snow, rain, fog, early spring, summer, fall, falling leaves, and sunset.

Duanliang Palace

The Duanliang Palace in the Tiger Hill has a history of more than 600 years. It is characterized by the beam across the middle roof, which is made of two unconnected wooden rods. That is the reason the palace is called Duanliang (broken beam). Not a single nail can be found in the construction of the palace, which is joined together all through tenons.

Hanhan Spring

The spring is still clear and sweet after over 1,000 years. It is said the spring water can cure eye illness.

Tiger Hill Tower

The tower has a history of more than 1,000 years, and now becomes a symbol of the ancient Suzhou City.

Shijian Stone

Shijian (sword testing) Stone is a huge stone with a deep and long crack running through it. The neat crack looks like being cut by a sharp sword. It is said that Gan Jiang (the husband) and Mo Ye (the wife) who lived in the Wu state during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) tested the male-female sword, which they later presented to He LÃ¯Â¿Â½Ã¯Â¿Â½ (the King of Wu State), on this stone, and cut the stone into two halves.Ã‚Â

Sword PoolÃ‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Ã‚Â

The Sword Pool is the most interesting place in the Tiger Hill. According to the records, King He Lv was buried under the pool. It is called the Sword Pool because He Lv's favorite golden sword was buried together with him under the pool.

Yongcui Villa

It is a small park in the mountain, built in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Though it is not large, it is very elegant and pretty.

Wanjing Villa

It is a park of bonsais, covering an area of 1.7 hectares with a construction area of 1,400 square meters. Bonsais here are exquisite and delicate, and the rockery sheer and steepy. There are pine trees and vines, partly covering those nice buildings. Water lilies are floating on a pool of clear water while waterfalls can be heard singing graceful songs.Ã‚Â